H. Mitchell Perry Oral History

Description

Reference code

OH074

Level of description

Collection

Title

H. Mitchell Perry Oral History

Date(s)

  • December 16, 1997 (Creation)

Extent

0.50 Linear Feet

Name of creator

(1923-2002)

Biographical history

Horace Mitchell Perry, Jr., graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1946. A specialist in hypertension and stroke, H. Mitchell Perry continued his research at Washington University School of Medicine after retiring as director of the hypertension division in the early 1990s. He served as a physician coordinator for the national Veterans Administration Hypertension Program and as director of the Hypertension Screening and Treatment Program for the Department of Veterans' Affairs in Washington DC, until his death.

In the early 1950's, Perry was a member of the first American group to succeed in medically treating hypertension. In collaboration with foundations such as the World Health Organization, Perry traveled the globe with his wife, Betty, to determine whether environmental factors in different cultures may influence the risk of hypertension and stroke.

*Source: Outlook Magazine, Spring 2002.

Name of creator

Biographical history

Name of creator

(Born 1931)

Biographical history

Mabel L. Purkerson received her bachelor's degree from Erskine College in 1951 and her medical degree from the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston in 1956. She interned at St. Louis City Hospital and then completed a residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Following a fellowship in pediatric metabolism, also at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Purkerson joined the faculty of the Washington University School of Medicine in 1961 as an instructor in Pediatrics.

Purkerson's interest in nephrology led to advanced training in the Renal Division of the Washington University School of Medicine in the early 1960s. Her research focused on renal physiology, specifically kidney pathophysiology and the pathophysiology of acute and chronic renal failure. Purkerson was appointed an instructor in the Department of Medicine in 1966 and assistant professor of Medicine the following year. From 1971 to 1972 Purkerson was a U.S. Public Health Service Special Fellow at the Department of Anatomy, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1976 Purkerson became associate professor of Medicine at Washington University, and in 1989 she became Professor of Medicine. In addition to her research and teaching, Purkerson assumed administrative positions at Washington University, serving as associate dean for Curriculum and associate dean for Academic Projects. Dr. Purkerson also founded and served as president of Women in Nephrology, a group associated with the American Society of Nephrology.

Scope and content

Perry discusses his experiences as a medical student at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Hospital, his career as a faculty member at WUSM, and his research in hypertension and stroke.

Interviewed by Paul Anderson and Dr. Mabel Purkerson in 1997. Approximate Length: 6 hours.

System of arrangement

Conditions governing access

The collection is open and accessible for research.

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Users of the collection should read and abide by the Rights and Permissions guidelines at the Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives.

Users of the collection who wish to cite items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Archives.

For detailed information regarding use of this collection, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Preferred Citation:

Item description, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

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Existence and location of copies

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Alternative identifier(s)

Rules or conventions

"Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Second Edition (DACS), 2013."

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Archivist's note

© Copyright 2019 Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives. All rights reserved.

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